Leeds Rhinos: Rookies Hallas and Smith called up by Leeds Rhinos

Peter Smith

Academy players Sam Hallas and Cameron Smith have been drafted into Leeds Rhinos’ initial squad for Thursday’s final game of the season.

Rhinos will be without prop Keith Galloway and scrum-half Rob Burrow for the visit of Kingstone Press Championship leaders Leigh Centurions in the First Utility Qualifiers.

Galloway has undergone surgery on a torn Achilles suffered in last Sunday’s defeat at Huddersfield Giants and will be sidelined for around six months.

Burrow, Rhinos’ player of the year, suffered a knee injury in the same game.

He is awaiting a specialist’s report, but the injury is not believed to be as serious as first thought.

Jordan Lilley (head and knee) and Carl Ablett (ankle) have both been named in the squad for Thursday, despite being unable to finish last week’s game.

Loose-forward Smith, who starred for England academy on this summer’s tour to Australia, is in line to make his second senior appearance after being a substitute in the Super League defeat at Huddersfield in April.

Hallas, who has been playing at hooker this season, but can also operate at prop, made substitute appearances against Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons in May and June.

Anthony Mullally is also back in contention, along with Ryan Hall, who missed the defeat at Huddersfield due to an ankle problem.